Milan-based magazine il Vero Milanista praised Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel after he impressed in his first appearance in nearly two months.

Van Ginkel has been on the fringes of the AC Milan first team so far this season but was given the chance to shine during an important game against Udinese.

Selected alongside former Blues star Michael Essien and Giacomo Bonaventura in the centre of midfield, the 22-year-old’s role in the game was obvious; win possession and start the attacks, both of which he did superbly.

The high pressing and possession game Milan played against Udinese allowed them to find holes in the backline and really put their Serie A rivals to the sword.

Jeremey Menez scored a brace within 10 minutes - 65' and 75' - to gain the three points for the home side, but it was perhaps the Chelsea man who left Milan supporters most excited.

‘Until yesterday afternoon, Marco Van Ginkel was nothing more than a mysterious object, one of the many players sent to Milan by Jose Mourinho.

"Until yesterday, he had played just half an hour against Empoli, where he got injured, and then two months of nothing.

‘Against Udinese, thanks to the many injuries, Van Ginkel played as a starter, completing the midline with Bonaventure and Michael Essien on a day in which Milan have, frankly, had it easy against an opponent that at times were too submissive.’

Following on from rumours that Chelsea may look to activate a clause which would see the Dutch international return to Stamford Bridge from Milan, the magazine labelled it a ‘real shame’ because he is beginning to show his real value.

‘The whole thing could happen as early as January,’ the Milan-based magazine added when speculating on Van Ginkel’s loan spell ending.

‘Because according to Fiorini, an intermediary for the player in Italy, in the contract there would be a clause that would allow Chelsea to do it [order the Van Ginkel to return].

‘It would be a real shame because Van Ginkel, after starting in the match against Udinese, is beginning to show his real value’.

The former Vitesse player has seen just 122 minutes of action in Serie A this season and it’s thought that Chelsea are far from happy with the player’s situation.

After a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge, it was he would be a certainty for a future first team role at the club but was unfortunately blighted by injury last season.

Upon his return, Jose Mourinho thought it would be best for him to get regular first team football at a big club in a different country, however, it hasn’t worked out the way Mourinho, Van Ginkel or even Milan would have envisioned.

However, after a strong performance on his return to the first team, it could open the door for him to press on further and infiltrate the starting XI on a regular basis. If, of course, Chelsea don’t decide to bring him back to England next month.